8 Day Best of Rwanda Tour, Gorillas, Chimps, Big Five Safari
This 8-day Best of Rwanda tour is designed for travellers who want Rwanda’s full headline mix, Big Five safari time, primate tracking, and mountain gorillas, without an exhausting pace. Start in Kigali with a 
short city orientation and time to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, then travel east to Akagera National Park for classic game drives and a Lake Ihema boat safari, one of the best ways to see hippos and crocodiles at close range. From there, you continue south to Nyungwe Forest for the canopy walk and an early chimpanzee tracking experience, before heading north to Musanze for Volcanoes National Park. Your final days focus on Rwanda’s most iconic encounter, gorilla trekking, with an extra morning for golden monkeys and a community visit. We arrange permits, park fees, accommodation, and private transport, so you can focus on the experience.
Safari Highlights
Duration, 8 days, 7 nights
Start and end, Kigali
Parks, Akagera, Nyungwe, Volcanoes
Key experiences, game drives, Lake Ihema boat safari, chimp tracking, canopy walk, gorilla trek
Best for first-time Rwanda visitors who want both primates and a classic safari
Why this itinerary works
Three parks in one loop, no backtracking
Mix of primates, big game, and scenery
Balanced pacing, wildlife first, then primates, then gorillas
Day by day itinerary
Day 1: Kigali arrival, city tour and memorial, overnight in Kigali
Your driver will meet you at the airport in Kigali. You will start with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. This site honors the victims of 1994 and explains the history of the country. After the visit, your driver will take you to your hotel to rest. For luxury lodging, you will stay at Kigali Serena Hotel. For mid-range lodging, you will stay at Hotel des Mille Collines. For budget lodging, you will stay at Step Town Motel.
Day 2: Drive to Akagera, Lake Ihema boat safari, overnight at Akagera
You leave Kigali in the morning and drive east to Akagera National Park. The drive takes about two and a half hours on paved roads. In the afternoon, you will take a boat ride on Lake Ihema. You will see large hippos and crocodiles resting near the water. For luxury lodging, you will stay at Magashi Camp. For mid-range lodging, you will stay at Akagera Game Lodge. For budget lodging, you will stay at the Dereva Hotel
Day 3: Akagera full-day game drive, Big Five search, overnight at Akagera
You will spend the whole day driving through the park in a safari car. African Parks manages this area to protect the animals and their habitat. You will search for lions, leopards, rhinos, and herds of elephants. The park features open grass plains and large swamp areas.
Day 4: Drive to Nyungwe, afternoon canopy walk, overnight Nyungwe
You wake up early for a long drive to the southern part of the country. The trip to Nyungwe Forest takes about six hours. You will stop for lunch in a town along the way. In the afternoon, you will walk on the canopy bridge. This metal walkway hangs high above the forest floor. For luxury lodging, you will stay at One and Only Nyungwe House. For mid-range lodging, you will stay at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel. For budget lodging, you will stay at Gisakura Guest House.
Day 5 Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe, transfer to Musanze, overnight near Volcanoes
You start very early in the morning to track chimpanzees. You will walk through the thick forest with park rangers. The chimpanzees move fast through the trees, making loud noises. After lunch, you will drive north to the town of Musanze. This drive takes about five hours. For luxury lodging, you will stay at Bisate Lodge. For mid-range lodging, you will stay at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel. For budget lodging, you will stay at Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge.
Day 6 Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, overnight near Volcanoes
This morning, you will track the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. The Rwanda Development Board issues the permits for 1500 dollars to fund park protection. You will walk through muddy paths and thick bushes on the mountain slopes. Once you find the gorilla family, you get one hour to watch them eat, play, and rest
Day 7 Golden monkey tracking and cultural visit, overnight near Volcanoes
You return to the park in the morning to find golden monkeys. These small monkeys live in the bamboo trees at the bottom of the mountains. In the afternoon, you will visit the Iby Iwacu cultural village. You will watch traditional dances and see how local people build their homes. For luxury lodging, you will stay at Bisate Lodge. For mid-range lodging, you will stay at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel. For budget lodging, you will stay at Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge.
Day 8 Return to Kigali, optional craft markets, airport drop off
Enjoy breakfast at your lodge before driving back to Kigali. The road trip takes about two and a half hours. You can buy crafts at local markets before your driver takes you to the airport. The trip ends after airport drop-off
What is Included and Excluded
Included
Gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park
Chimpanzee trekking permit in Nyungwe Forest
Golden monkey tracking permit
All park entrance fees in Akagera, Nyungwe, and Volcanoes
Lake Ihema boat safari fee in Akagera
Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game viewing
Professional English-speaking driver guides throughout
Airport pickup and airport drop off in Kigali
7 nights accommodation in selected lodge category
Meals as indicated in the itinerary, typically full board while on safari
Bottled drinking water in the vehicle during transfers and game drives
Excluded
International flights to and from Rwanda
Rwanda visa fees were applicable
Travel insurance is strongly recommended
Tips and gratuities for your guide, rangers, and lodge staff
Alcoholic drinks and additional beverages are not included with meals
Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, and souvenirs
Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Extra nights in Kigali before or after the tour
What to Pack for Your Trip
Strong hiking boots for mud
A good rain jacket
Long pants and long-sleeve shirts
Bug spray for the forest
A warm sweater for cold mornings
Gardening gloves to hold onto bushes
